Stones into School

5 Responses to “Stones into School”

1. Damon A. Norcross says:

   March 26, 2010 at 5:22 am

   Fantastic book. Just beware the maps on the Kindle version are unreadable. I would have preferred the paper version of the book to constantly refer back to the maps/locations Mortenson discusses throughout the book.
   Reader’s Rating: 2 / 5
2. David Bauman says:

   March 26, 2010 at 5:53 am

   While I momentously appreciated the focus of the Central Asia Institute, I was disappointed by Mr. Mortenson’s innocent acceptance of folks in the military with their jargon-inspired reasoning (COIN – counterinsurgency operations equating to Afghani “style”), and his fleeting but satisfying references to Thomas Friedman – the NY Times writer who thinks that market-controlled globalization is excellent for what ails the developing world. There are a whole lot of folks who reflect Mr. Friedman is full of it and his thoughts have contributed to a lot of pain and instability for people who are effective out their destiny, not to mention providing a rationale for US imperialism.

   On the theme of imperialism, I was surprised that Mr. Mortenson didn’t have more insight into why things were the way they were in places where the US was waging its own terrorist activities. Al Qaeda was a result to an existing situation – the wasting of Iraqi lives in the Gulf War by denying the rebuilding of infrastructure for the health of Iraqi citizens mainly women and children) and the desecration of Islam’s holy places in Saudi Arabia by US forces.

   I like Mr. Mortenson’s goals and educational philosophy, but sure wasn’t impressed by his critical thought: Admiral Mullen wasn’t bringing in a bunch of reporters for really altruistic motives – it was a photo op to show how much the military cared about the civilians even as they indiscriminately bombed them.

   I wish the CAI excellent luck with their efforts to help all the regular folks in that area of the world, but marvel about their blithe acceptance of a US military that is building American assumptions about different cultures which they show small or no understanding of and prefer to shoot first rather than sit and have tea with.
   Reader’s Rating: 3 / 5
3. L. Utz says:

   March 26, 2010 at 8:53 am

   We loved the CD’s of Three Cups of Tea and hoping for another winner with From Stones to Schools. But, we establish the impact of the narrative dramatically cut-rate and compromised by having a woman’s voice speak in the first person as Greg Mortenson while attempting to replicate additional male voices in the tale as well.

   As a woman, I feel the narrator does an brilliant job of reading the tale, but we just establish it confusing and not nearly as compelling as when we were listening to Greg Mortenson himself tell his own personal tale.
   Reader’s Rating: 2 / 5
4. Kimberly D. Bath says:

   March 26, 2010 at 10:31 am

   Mortenson is a prime example of what one person can do to make a difference in the lives of many people. Networking with others and empowering more people to help with a point task seemed to be something others could do in their lives as well.
   Reader’s Rating: 4 / 5
5. Patricia S. Verd says:

   March 26, 2010 at 11:37 am

   Not fantastic literature, but one of the few positive things coming out of this part of the world. Arrived promptly and in excellent shape.
   Reader’s Rating: 4 / 5